Police have scored a victory in their fight against the illegal arms trade, arresting and charging a Saint Lucian national with American citizenship for possession of a gun and more than 220 bullets.
Chester Garner-Ernest was taken into custody after a search warrant was executed at his premises in Carellie, Castries, on December 12, and it was confirmed that he did not have a firearm licence.
During the search, police recovered a .380 firearm, a .22 magazine, 10 rounds of 12-gauge ammunition, 20 rounds of 5.56 ammunition, 194 rounds of .22 ammunition, and a quantity of compressed marijuana.
Garner-Ernest has been charged with possession of a firearm, three counts of possession of ammunition, possession of controlled drugs, and possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply.
The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (RSLPF) lauded the operation as a breakthrough in combating the illegal gun trade.
“The Royal Saint Lucia Police Force continues its investigations into the trafficking of weapons into the country, through collaborations with partner agencies, such as the Customs and Excise Department. This recovery is testament to the dedicated efforts of law enforcement officials in identifying and arresting the illicit movement of firearms and ammunition across our borders,” the RSLPF said in a statement on Monday.
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